Model year record

1990 Ford Tempo

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 174 owner complaints on file.

Ford Tempo, 1988–1994 generation
Pictured: the 1988–1994 generation. IFCAR, Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V071000

Electrical system: ignition

Component
Electrical system: ignition
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
7,900,000
Reported to NHTSA
1996-04-25
Owners notified
1996-06-07

Defect description

THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system: ignition2183,000 mi
Seat belts1655 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch14—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum13—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline12—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator9—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components5—
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly5—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly4—
Tires4—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood3—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash3—
Engine and engine cooling: engine3—
Exterior lighting: headlights3—
Power train: automatic transmission3—
Seat belts: front: retractor3—
Seat belts: front: webbing3—
Seats: front assembly: recliner3—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system3—
Vehicle speed control3—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor3—
Electrical system: wiring2—
Engine and engine cooling255 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights2—
Seat belts: rear/other2—
Steering2—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar2—
Air bags: frontal1—
Child seat: handle (infant)1—
Electrical system1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1—
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch1—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1—
Power train155 mi
Seat belts: front181,000 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage1—
Service brakes, air: drum: shoes/linings1—
Service brakes, air: slack adjusters1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1—
Steering: linkages1—
Structure155 mi
Structure: body: door1—
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm1—
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint1—
Suspension: rear1—
Tires: tread/belt1—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element1—
Visibility: windshield1—

The 1989 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1991 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Other Ford Tempo model years

All Ford Tempo recalls by year

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.